Jet Airways (Mumbai International) has deferred the deliveries of B737-8s under sale and leaseback deals with unnamed lessors, The Economic Times has reported.
The financially struggling Indian carrier so far took delivery of five B737 MAX 8s. It planned to add six more by March 2019, including three that were due to arrive in December 2018. The deliveries of these six units were pushed back due to the airline's current financial situation.
The three aircraft due for delivery in December were, however, handed over to the lessors. ch-aviation fleets module shows that the units ready for delivery are VT-JXF (msn 43615), VT-JXG (msn 44864), and VT-JXH (msn 43616).
Jet Airways has a further 125 B737 MAX 8s (including the three units ready for delivery), as well as ten B737-9s, on order with Boeing.
Boeing Senior Vice President (Sales - Asia-Pacific and India) Dinesh Keskar told Moneycontrol that Jet Airways did not formally request the rescheduling of deliveries.
The carrier is also reportedly late with lease payments. Jet Airways leases ninety-nine of 115 aircraft in its fleet; it only owns ten B777-300ERs, two B737-800s, one B737-900, and three A330-200s.
Besides the debts to the lessors, the airline is also reportedly significantly overdue with its payments to Mumbai International airport.
Jet Airways continues to talk with its 24% owner Etihad Airways and Indian banks about a recapitalisation plan. It has to present it to the authorities within 180 days from its default on December 31, 2018.
